In speaking of the acts of the apostles following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, Gamaliel, one of the leaders in the Sanhedrin, spoke the words above in the great council of the Jews. He was cautioning the Jews to not be heavy handed with the apostles, for fear that the people might revolt. Besides, he says, if what they are doing is of human origin, it will fail and we won't have to worry about it. He goes on in verse 39 to say, "But, if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men."
Reading this passage this morning from the Book of Acts made me pause and consider the things we do in the church. Are our purposes and activities -- are the things we do in church today -- truly from God or are their purposes and activity of human origin? Are we wasting our time and God's resources on human plans and activities that are doomed to failure?
Years ago, Nancy Leigh DeMoss asked the question in a broadcast that has haunted me ever since: "If the Holy Spirit were removed from the American churches today, would we even notice?" In other words, without the presence of God, would we just continue on with our purposes and activities with business as usual -- still having the same programs and committee meetings and gatherings? This was certainly the case with the Jewish "church" in the apostolic age, where God's presence had been removed from them but they continued on with the same practices and meetings, just in their own power.
We need to stop from time to time to consider the things we do, both as a church and as individual Christians. Are we moving forward to do the things of God as He has directed and in His power, or are we merely pressing onward with a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof (2 Tim 3:5)? Instead of living our lives as God directs, are we continuing in vain to accomplish our own plans, purposes, and activities without His support or strength?
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